The Navy Lodge Program announced its 2016 award winners during its annual worldwide Training and Strategy Workshop. The awards highlight outstanding guest service in a variety of different facets of the Navy Lodge.

“The Navy Exchange Service Command’s (NEXCOM) Navy Lodge Program is an important quality of life benefit; one we are proud to deliver to our deserving Sailors and their families,” said Rear Adm. Robert J. Bianchi (Ret), Chief Executive Officer, NEXCOM. “Our Navy Lodge teams have provided exceptional professional service and displayed true leadership by building connections, trust and making our Navy community better. They have all been able to achieve success by finding creative solutions and delivering outstanding hospitality to our country’s heroes. Bravo Zulu to all our winners for a job very well done!”

The Edward E. Carlson Award is given each year to the Navy Lodge that is rated the highest in guest and associate satisfaction, operations, quality assurance assessment and financial performance. The Navy Lodge of the Year for 2016 is Navy Lodge Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Navy Lodge Whidbey Island, Wash., is the winner in the medium category while Navy Lodge San Diego won for the large category.

Hospitality Awards were presented to the Navy Lodges that rated the highest by guests in a variety of areas of guest service including guest relations and building and room cleanliness. The

Grand Winner is Navy Lodge Sasebo, Japan. Navy Lodge Everett, Wash., won in the medium category while Navy Lodge Monterey, Calif., won in the large category.

The PCS Award for the Navy Lodge with the greatest increase in room nights was Navy Lodge Little Creek-Fort Story, Va. Navy Lodge Everett, Wash., received the PCS Award for the Navy Lodge with the greatest percentage increase in PCS rooms.

Elena Knudson, General Manager, Navy Lodge Naples, Italy, was named Navy Lodge General Manager of the Year. Rahel Menghestab, Navy Lodge Bethesda, Md., was named the Navy Lodge Associate of the Year. The Marketer of the Year Award, given to the General Manager who promoted their Navy Lodge through innovative, unique and refreshing tools and tactics, was given to Lisa Wooten, Navy Lodge Memphis, Tenn.

Also given out at the workshop were awards from The American Hotel and Lodging Association Educational Institute (AHLAEI). These awards are made annually to hotels throughout the world that meet certain standards and requirements. For 2016, Navy Lodge Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, received AHLAEI’s highest award, the Meritorious Award. Navy Lodge Bethesda, Md., was the winner of the Gold Pineapple Award.